Three NISD educators are among the best in Texas

Three outstanding Northside teachers are state finalists in the 2025 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards. Deputy Superintendent Ray Galindo and H-E-B representatives made the surprise announcements this week during heartfelt moments filled with cheers, tears, hugs, and flowers. 

This year’s finalists are:

• Kassandra Smith, a first-grade teacher at Boone Elementary School (in the Rising Star – Elementary category)
• Brandy Gonzalez-Kee, an art teacher at Clark High School (in the Leadership-Secondary category)
• Margaret Bray, Principal at Marshall Law and Medical Services Magnet School (in the Principal-Secondary category)

Kassandra Smith and Brandy Gonzalez-Kee were told that NISD Media Productions would be stopping by to gather footage for a district promotional video. They planned to showcase special lessons but soon knew something was up as an onslaught of cameras entered the room; followed by an entourage of campus and Central Office personnel, H-E-B Buddy, H-E-B store team members, and family and friends. 

“I just feel very grateful and appreciative,” Smith said. “You don’t expect this, but it is very rewarding when your hard work is noticed and appreciated.” 

“My students are my heart,” she said. 

Principal Margaret Bray was told that the Central Office was bringing a group of visitors to view her program and the courtroom classroom. The veteran educator knew something was up but was still surprised as the cameras, cheerleaders, and a plethora of visitors streamed into the room. 

“This is an exceptional honor,” Bray said. “It is a clear demonstration of the collective commitment and hard work exhibited by the entire LMS community, including our students and staff. I am sincerely grateful for this recognition and anticipate the remarkable achievements that lie ahead for our students.”

The H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards are designed to honor outstanding public school professionals and to thank them for their dedication and commitment.  

The state finalists were each awarded money for themselves and their schools. Nominations were submitted earlier this year by H-E-B customers, employees, and community members and a team of judges narrowed the field to the finalists. Later this spring they will be interviewed by a panel of judges before the grand prize winners are announced.

The H-E-B awards program was launched in 2002 in cooperation with the Texas Association of School Administrators to honor outstanding educators. Northside ISD was named the best district in the state in 2005; the first-year awards were bestowed on districts.